I've Lived in East London for 85 1/2 Years by Martin Usborne

by Martin Usborne

" For about twenty years I made suitcases. My Foreman was a bastard. Apart from that it was OK. But if I was less heavy... you know what I'd like to be? I'd like to be a ballet dancer. That would be my dream."

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Biography, Art, London, British Literature

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[javi]

leído mientras álvaro trabaja y hacemos tiempo pa ir a murcia de festival. recuerdos bonitos

[Montoya]

If you read only one book for the rest of 2015, I recommend I've Lived in East London for 86 1/2 Years by Joseph Markovitch (Words) and Martin Usborne (Photos). Enjoyed the charming arbitrary annotations offered up from the prospective of a wonderful soul. The accompanied photos are delightful.

[Belinda Carvalho]

Beautiful photography and quotes books which will remind you of the simplicity of life, the hilarity of life, the tragedy of life and profundly of the transcience of life and the passage of time. I loved seeing London through Joseph's eyes and I feel privileged that I was able to read some of his wisdom too. I particulalry enjoyed his reflecitons on Shoreditch's past, his memories are very evocative of a Jewish East End which has disappeared.

[David Ponce]

A humbling collection of the everyday thoughts and views on life of Joseph Markovitch, gathered in conversations with the photographer Martin Usborne over the years, along with pictures of Markovitch in his neighbourhood, surrounded by the people he used to casually chat with out of genuine curiosity about their lives.

A man who was born in East London and lived his whole life in there, never leaving England, or even leaving London much. According to the book, he only saw the seaside once. And he was contempt with that. A man who was Jewish but attended Christian church because "he liked the company and the sandwiches". A man who genuinely considered his house keys, bus pass and belt his most precious belongings. A seemingly simple man with a vivid imagination who enjoyed observing the world around him, without understanding it much but without judging it either.

A few quotes from him that stuck with me:

- "I've never had a girlfriend [...] but it's OK. I've seen the horse and cart, I've seen the camera invented, I've seen the project. I never starved, that's the main thing."

- "When I was young, everyone was a cockney. It was like looking at the same face all the time. Now it's all mixed up. I like it."

- "Now there are homosexuals in the army. I think it's good -they don't desert anyone. The only time I would ever be prejudiced is if someone stole my bread away."

- "The most important thing is to be kind to each other."

[alvaro]

Encontré a Joseph Markowitch en el blog de mi psicóloga.

Compré “I’ve lived in East London for 861/2 years” como regalo de mi 27 cumpleaños. Con el dinero de su publicación, Joseph compró dos teléfonos, un reproductor de DVD, un televisor, una radio digital, dos abrigos, algunos calzoncillos y calcetines, un cinturón nuevo y algunas Clarks para sus largos paseos.

Según Martin Usborne, “Joseph had a quiet life. But it was a rich life. […] He lived his final years alone but was deeply interested in others. He was vulnerable. But he was very much alive.”

Hay algo vivo en esta simplicidad. Algo que remueve las tripas desde dentro, algo que me llevo conmigo.

[Scott]

Charming and elegantly designed, this photobook is more than just a collection of images. Although the images at times aren't groundbreaking, the images combined with Markovitch's musings on life form a wonderful pairing.

A lovely book.

[Ashley]

Quirky musings of a (now deceased) man who never left London but has a mind that can be on par with one more well-traveled.

[lw]

crying in foyles rn

[Madeleine Chambers]

Read this as it was in the hotel the night before my exam. Sweet book.

[Julius Narkūnas]

Valanda truko perskaityti šią fotoistoriją apie vienišą žmogų. Labai artima ir pažįstama situacija, fotografas pamato praeivį ir paprašo nusifotografuoti. Bet tuo istorija tik prasideda. Pažintis, kuri truko keletą metų leidžia susipažinti su Joseph Markovitz, senuku, kuris 86,5 metų gyveno Rytiniame Londone.

[Steven Bosch]

An intimate portrait of one of East London’s long time residents through the hand of shortly narrated, intimate real life pictures. Albeit short, the book manages to give a glimpse of changing times through the eyes of a long term elderly resident which is both quirky, funny, melancholic and a bit sad at the same time. A beautiful, short and captivating read.

[Chloe]

15/10/17
This book really affected me. I can't really explain why. All I know is that it is one of the best books I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Joseph's opinions and thoughts on life, paired with Martin's photographs, made me smile, cry and feel joyous. It's incredibly strange that I can't put into words how much this little book changed me but I am so glad I picked it up.

9/10/17
I absolutely adored this book. The photographs are stunning and reading about Joseph and his life was truly a pleasure. I'm surprised by how much I loved this little book.
Please do yourself a favour and pick this book up.

I'm just going to go and continue sobbing my eyes out.

[T P Kennedy]

A charming little book - nice mix of images and quotations. Quirky and nicely done.

[Jennifer Lewis]

I loved reading this, so honest and refreshing and garnished with beautifully captured images, inspiration provided by a live well lived.

[Sam Steer]

Charming

[Stuart West]

Amazing photos and story of 1 man.

[Craig]

This is maybe more about the pictures than the words, but the words are important;
Joseph Markovitch talking about his life & thoughts, and his sometimes odd worldview.

[Eve]

beautiful.

[Alaric]

Nice little book: Quite profound in places.
Rediscovered sorting through a box of books and read this evening. Now at the end, I realise that I have read it before when I first bought it. A beautiful and unusual book and one to keep certainly.

[feverdreamer]

“There’s no point crying about things, is there? People don’t see you when you’re sad. Best just to keep walking.”

[Regina]

Good pictures, quotes well worth reading. Martin Usborne made me very happy by portraying Joseph Markovitch, a remarkable and funny human being! Made me laugh out loud several times while reading it in public and felt I have missed out on meeting a very special guy.

[Weathergrrrl]

Wonderful little book. Part philosophy, part exploration of old age, a glimpse into one ordinary person's life. Who knew such a slight book could explore such vastness. I suspect this will reward rereading with new insights. Wow, such a lovely surprise.

[Sarah Abanamy]

Wonderful, touching & charming book about Mr. Joseph. His words and Martin Usborne's pictures made me want to wander in London with him, listening to 86 1/2 years of stories.

[Cams]

Beautiful!

[Elena]

Molto carino, belle foto e teneri pensieri di questo vecchietto che ha visto cambiare il suo quartiere in 86 anni.

[Elli (The Bibliophile)]

A beautifully produced book full of lovely photographs and touching and often funny quotes! This is a very interesting concept and I look forward to checking out more books by Horton Mini Press!